SMT equipment market continues to derive demand from major downstream industry segments including telecommunications, computing and consumer appliances, which are the most prolific users of PCBs, according to a new report from Global Industry Analysts, Inc. However, the market in recent years has been gaining significant opportunities in other industries such as automotive electronics, medical device electronics, defense and aerospace electronic equipment, and industrial equipment among others. With end-use markets for SMT equipment shifting focus from defect detection to defect prevention, SMT equipment manufacturers are turning towards diversification of product offerings. Growing demand for high-quality SMT equipment from contract and OEM manufacturers is poised to benefit the market. In addition, rising demand for light emitting diodes (LED) technology is fuelling demand for SMT equipment. Driven by growing popularity of LEDs, SMT equipment manufacturers are ramping up their production capacity to address demand from commercial and consumer electronics sectors.

As stated by the new market research report on surface mount technology (SMT) equipment, Asia-Pacific represents the single largest market worldwide. With robust pace of industrialization, infrastructure development and GDP growth, the region offers bright growth prospects. Latin America, trailing a CAGR of 7.2% over the analysis period, is projected to emerge as the fastest growing market. While growth in the SMT equipment market in Europe continues to remain subdued amidst volatile economic conditions, long term prospects remain positive with EU gearing up to revive its position in the hardware and manufacturing industry and supporting innovative startups and electronics manufacturing clusters in the region.

SMT placement equipment represents the largest product segment within the SMT equipment market. Growth in the segment is attributed to the burgeoning momentum and thriving product innovation in the electronics market. Though product miniaturization is the most significant factor contributing to the resurgence and subsequent buoyancy in the SMT placement equipment segment, the need for higher accuracy placement equipment, improved speed and flexibility also play vital roles in driving growth. In the SMT Inspection Systems market, Automatic X-Ray Inspection (AXI) Equipment and Automatic Optical Inspection (AOI) Equipment are expected to gain traction over next few years. AXI equipment is expected to gain from the integration of computer tomography and intuitive programming. AOI equipment is projected to benefit from machine vision-based algorithms that feature easy programming capability, flexibility, and enhanced ability to detect faults and with few false call rates.

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SMTs are mainly used for high speed, high precision placing of broad range of electronic components, like capacitors, resistors, integrated circuits onto the PCBs which are in turn used in computers, telecommunications equipment, consumer electronic goods, industrial equipment, medical instruments, automotive systems, military systems and aerospace engineering.

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